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The
American Crocodile is a large, very rare, shy reptile. It has
a long, tapered, triangular-shaped snout. Crocodiles swim very
well, propelling themselves through the water mainly using
their tails, but also using their webbed feet. |
Adult American Crocodiles are gray-green, dark olive, or
grayish-brown on their back which has ridged, bony scales. The
belly is yellow to white and has smooth scales. They grow up
to 15 feet long. The fourth tooth on either side of the
lower jaw is exposed (unlike alligators, whose teeth fit into
sockets). They have 66 teeth. |
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Diet:
American Crocodiles are carnivorous (meat-eaters). They
eat fish and other animals that they find in or near the
water, including turtles, snakes, crustaceans (like
crabs), small mammals, and birds. They are nocturnal,
hunting mostly at night.
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Habitat
and Shelter:
This endangered species spends most of its life in warm, quiet
waters, like swamps and estuaries (where rivers meet
the sea). They live along the coast of Florida, Central
America, and parts of South America where the weather is
usually warm. They do not live in Georgia, however. They
use the plants that grow in the water for shelter.
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Predators:
Crocodiles have no predators other than humans. |
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